led to 8th, weakened after 3 out, soon eased
held up, weakened after 7th
in rear and not fluent, headway 4 out, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 8th
soon tracking leaders, led 8th, not fluent 2 out, kept on well from last
soon with leader, pushed along 7th, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, no impression approaching last
Iwillrememberyou has shown gradual improvement over hurdles from limited opportunities and has to be respected but Charlie Longsdon's gelding is probably a shade high in the weights at present and preference is for Joaaci, with Spring Breeze rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has been doing most of his racing over fences and comes here on the back of a decent effort at Cheltenham when last seen in October. David Pipe has his string in fine form at present and Joaaci is taken to make the most of what looks a favourable mark back over hurdles. Lucy Wadham's Heir To Be has slipped to a decent mark and could be of interest stepping back up in trip but is hard to recommend on recent evidence, while Himalayan Trail has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts. Spring Breeze is capable but Ferdy Murphy's gelding is hard to back with confidence on recent form and a better bet looks to be Joaaci.
Joaaci (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) In touch, headway after 2 out, every chance last, unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Ardaghey (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Spring Breeze 28-1 (10-0) In touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 22l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Iwillrememberyou (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Held up and behind, headway 9th, ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 7th of 12, 14l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Cantabilly (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Towards rear, ridden approaching 7th, weakened next, 6th of 10, 29l behind Russian Trigger (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Ballyshan (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 20, 48l behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Heir To Be 11-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 8, 27l behind Dancer's Serenade (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Special Rate (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, behind from 6th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Himalayan Trail 14-1 (10-1) Led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Dancer's Serenade (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Rockys Girl 8-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
